jaydee_007-2

Very over the top campy but fun watch on a lazy Saturday afternoon. What would the United States look like if a Lord Farquaad were not around to round up the farytale creatures and exile them? This movie makes a plausible suggestion - In a sort of Stephen King fashion of covering the same time period from three different character's point of view. If you aren't looking for something Heavy, this is a break from all the serious nonsense of the world to simply ESCAPE

Looking back (I was a Teenager and Delivered the Newspaper with the Headlines about the landing) I find it Truly Unbelievable that we actually did it. When we realize the Technologies of Today, the mission was genuinely done, as Mr. Spok would say, "With Stone Knives and Bearskins." This series caused me to Remember many things from those days, and all the days leading up to the landing. I remember the Monkey - then Alan Shepard - John Glen's Orbit (had the lunchbox, wanted the G.I. Joe capsule, never got it) Ed White's walk in space (followed by lots of PSA's with him) And the feeling of Devastation when hearing Chet Huntly report the Apollo 1 fire. So few growing up today can understand the meaning of a National Goal and its effect on everyone.

Most of what needs to be said of the episode has been said; However Why has no one seen the direct connection from this episode to the John Candy Movie Delirious? TZ episodes have inspired many movies since the series aired.

Watching this has reminded me of a series of Brutal Western stories I used to read by George G. Gilman called Edge.

Add to that is is reminiscent of my days as a Civl War reenactor.

They've hit the period history right between the eyes.

They have also portrayed the Corruption and the beauty of the times. The Scenes in Kansas are as good as it gets on the small screen. . The west made for hard people, or dead ones. And the writers and directors have pulled no punches in portraying things as they were. The Harlots don't look like they live in downtown Las Vegas, and the Protagenist makes mistakes.

This series has shown extreme promise in its first two episodes, and some Excellent human drama. I'm hopeful the writers will not allow that to go to their heads, and keep it gritty and harsh, without going over the top.

I'm being generous giving it one star.

Essentially, I've concluded that this was actually a Porn film with all of the Porn removed. It has to be. That can be the only explanation for the Put-On Performances, and the Shoddy Camera work as well as Choreography.

The story has all of the contrivances of a bad porn film, that is certain. Along with the clear mismatch in ages for Father/Daughter relationships. (No, there are no subplots regarding that relationship, but it just doesn't work when you see it on camera.)

Not even MST3K could make this watchable!

The first thing one notices about this movie is that it has the look and feel of a really long music video. With dizzying camera cuts, motions and angles, the movie does more to confuse the audience than to portray a story.

The next thing one notices is the this movie, with it's two dimensional characters lacks the Class of the Hepburn and Grant version from 1963.

There is very little to get involved with when it comes to these characters who go through the motions of a who is doing what to whom, when, where, and why. And Thandie Newton gives nothing for the audience to sympathize with in her relationship with either Mark Wahlberg or Tim Robbins. In the end you are left just hoping to get it over with.

I will add that if you close your eyes during the film, you'll note that Tim Robbins has managed to sound just like Walter Matthau from the original. I consider that the only highlight.

My advice, Rent the original Charade from 1963. You'll have a more enjoyable evening.

I have a hard time calling this movie lame. It isn't that good.

The editor reminds me of an American tourist in Europe that believes, somehow, that if he yells the Europeans will be able to understand English. The filmmaker, somehow, believes that boring scenes will be scary if you flash them around so quickly the audience is unable to recognize what they have seen.

This film also builds on the assumption that Evil exists in this world solely because its victims are stupid. Every character in this film, when given the choice between a prudent course of action and one of an imbecilic nature without fail chooses the stupidest course possible. I'm sorry, I know some stupid people and this film is an insult to them.

Finally the director cleverly chooses to end on one of those `Draw your own conclusions' notes, but he has failed to give the audience enough information to do so. ( Or he ran it by so fast we all missed it,)

This movie should only be viewed after midnight on Friday or Saturday with several friends after sufficient alcohol has been consumed to make it a bearable experience.